R&B smooth operator Andwele (Dwele) Gardner has a lot to smile about as 2008 takes shape. His third full-length effort is being readied for a spring release from Koch Records. And the Detroiter, known for his mellow but streetwise blending of R&B and soul, is readying himself for a visit to L.A. for Feb. 10’s Grammy Awards. He’s nominated for his laid-back, jazzy take on “That’s the Way of the World” from the tribute album “Interpretations: Celebrating the Music of Earth, Wind & Fire.” Detroiters looking to get schooled in a li’l groove theory should get ready for Thursday’s show at Music Hall, where Dwele will be opening for Amel Larrieux.
QUESTION: This spring, fans will finally get to hear your new record. How about some hints?
ANSWER: I just got back in from New York City, and we finished up a couple songs for my record as well as a couple songs for a DVD we’re trying to put together. If everything goes right, we will put out a DVD with the record that features a couple live performances from a show in New York I did a few months ago. I don’t have a new name yet for the album, but it should be out at the end of March or early April — and the first single is called “I’m Cheating,” a track I did with G-One out in L.A. I also did a track called “A Few Reasons” that I did with Knox, a producer from Virginia. I worked with different producers on this album to bring a different vibe. I’m still going to have a mellow vibe. It’s a little bit of “Some Kinda …,” a little bit of “Subject,” but at the same time, I’m trying to take it to the next level. It’s all about expanding and growing with the music.
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